Nick Kyrgios has divided tennis fans throughout his career with his temperamental attitude and abusive tirades aimed at umpires and fans.
But when the 22-year-old steps onto the court at Melbourne Park on Sunday to play Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, there will be a different feel in the air.
New levels of support will greet the star from Canberra, who previously went head-to-head with Bernard Tomic for the title of Australian tennis’ ‘bad boy’ – a title easily won by Tomic this month when he bragged about ‘counting his millions’.
Even some of Kyrgios’ staunchest critics are guilty of jumping on the bandwagon as he undergoes his greatest coming-of-age moment while competing for the grand slam of the Asia-Pacific.
Nick Kyrgios, 22, will step onto the court at Melbourne Park on Sunday with the crowd on his side as he undergoes his greatest coming-of-age moment at this year’s Australian Open
The star from Canberra previously went head-to-head with Bernard Tomic for the title of Australian tennis’ ‘bad boy’
Kyrgios’ critics are now guilty of jumping on the bandwagon following his display at this year’s Australian Open
The mental resilience he displayed by ignoring a self-described ‘social media entertainer’ – who interrupted his match with ‘sex noises’ – won over a portion of fence-sitters.
But it was his display of humility after defeating his childhood hero Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in a gruelling match on Friday night that arguably placed himself firmly in many fans’ good-books.
‘I’d never won a match on this court and was obviously a bit nervous playing Jo. I’ve always looked up to him – he’s a great guy and a great champion,’ Kyrgios told Jim Courier post-match.
‘But I’m just happy to get through. You guys [the crowd] were amazing tonight.’
His new wave of support follows his display of humility after defeating childhood hero Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in a gruelling match on Friday night (pictured)
Kyrgios delighted the crowd with a gushing display over A-lister Will Smith (left), who was watching from the stands
The star-struck sportsman said he was nervous when he spotted the Men In Black star (right)
He even delighted the crowd with a gushing display over A-lister Will Smith, who was watching from the stands.
The star-struck sportsman said he was nervous when he spotted the Men In Black star, and just wanted him to think he was the ‘coolest person ever’.
‘I got to tell him – I have Focus on my phone and I watch it every time I have a flight. Best movie ever,’ Kyrgios told Smith.
Smith approved, giving Kyrgios a thumbs up from courtside.
Only months ago, Kyrgios reached new levels of infamy after walking off the court at the Shanghai Masters following a heated exchange with an umpire (pictured)
Audio captured the Australian telling his courtside box he’d quit after the first set in an apparent protest over the decisions of the chair umpire
Hoards of fans then responded to the win on social media, with one person saying: ‘Isn’t it typical that all the haters jump on the bandwagon! Always a fan, when good or bad! You’re a real champion.’
Another wrote: ‘I have grown to like him over time. He is an awesome talent and doing a lot of stuff for charity way earlier than most. He plays with heart.’
Only months ago, Kyrgios reached new levels of infamy after walking off the court at the Shanghai Masters following a heated exchange with an umpire.
Audio captured the Australian telling his courtside box he’d quit after the first set in an apparent protest over the decisions of the chair umpire.
He also went toe-to-toe in 2015 with Australian sporting icon Dawn Fraser (right), who claimed young tennis stars should set a better example or ‘go back to where their parents came from’
Kyrgios has also racked up tens of thousands of dollars in fines for swearing – most recently on Monday for telling a rowdy fan to ‘shut the f*** up’
Kyrgios showed mental resilience by ignoring a self-described ‘social media entertainer’ (pictured) who interrupted his match with ‘sex noises’
Kyrgios grew up in Canberra before going on to divide tennis fans during his professional career
In 2015, he was accused of taking sledging too far by telling Stanislas Wawrinka during a match that fellow player and friend Thanasi Kokkinakis ‘banged’ his girlfriend.
Kyrgios was fined $13,127, handed suspended penalties of $32,818, and copped a four-week ban for the stunt.
He also went toe-to-toe in 2015 with Australian sporting icon Dawn Fraser, who claimed young tennis stars should set a better example or ‘go back to where their parents came from’.
Kyrgios – whose father is from Greece and mother from Malaysia – vented his frustration in a Facebook post moments later.
Kyrgios has been dating 24-year-old, Croatian-born Ajla Tomljanović (pictured)
Tomljanović also represents Australia and has won seven titles in her professional career
The greatest redemption story of the year is in full-swing, as Kyrgios (pictured with his brother and sister) prepares for his Round of 16 clash against the competition’s third seed
His loyal fans are taking to social media to call-out any ‘bandwagoners’ on his behalf
One person called morning TV hosts ‘frauds’ following their support for Kyrgios
Others have unashamedly jumped on the Kyrgios bandwagon
‘Throwing a racket, brat. Debating the rules, disrespectful. Frustrated when competing, spoilt. Showing emotion, arrogant. Blatant racist, Australian legend,’ he wrote.
He’s also racked up tens of thousands of dollars in fines for swearing – most recently on Monday for telling a rowdy fan to ‘shut the f*** up’.
But for now, the greatest redemption story of the year is in full-swing, as Kyrgios prepares for his Round of 16 clash against the competition’s third seed.
Meanwhile, his loyal fans are taking to social media to call-out any ‘bandwagoners’ on his behalf.
‘Kyrgios wins: Australia’s favourite son. Kyrgios loses: just another w** with an attitude and should go back to where his parents came from,’ one person wrote on Saturday morning.
Another wrote: ‘All these frauds on morning TV saying their treatment of Kyrgios has made him change and now they adore him (nothing to do with him winning).’